Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1887-12-16
A MEXICAN BANDIT.

Mr. Edgar Wood had 2,0oO silver dollars |,
ten dollar rolls nicely packed in valise wifi
q few toilet articles, and $1,000 in banl
notes and bills Of exchange snugly sewed int.
thin belt worn about his person. In a,
outside belt, elegantly embroidered, he wor
a superbly jeweled revolver, warranted TO b.
useful a. weapon at long range, in the hanC
OF self collected man resting under SAT-
shelter.
As TO other personal furniture, his com
Portable figure was adorned with a fine golc
watch, possessing national reputation fol-
beauty and value throughout the republic Of
Mexico, and a hat covered with gold lac,
and bangles that made it the envy of all the
beaux in town.
Under these conditions Mr.. Edgar Wood
entered the ten mule stage that stood in the
patio Of the Hotel lturbde for a trip down
the country TO pay of 5000 laborers a
months wages.
The stage state The wealthy contractor
was alone that morning. This month" he
considered, will cost me $50, 600. for which
outlay the government pays me slOO, 600,
which is $50 clear gain. In two more
shall be in good trim, and then shall ask
old Juarez for Emilia. think she admired
me last night hen | said my adieun And
be looked at HE pistol, his fine watch and ele-
giant hat, and--a rife ball whistled through
the coach window, followed by command
Of "Pararser Chalt.
There is no discussing such an order given
under such circumstances
IL was not possible for Mr. Wood TO saw
Just how he looked, but he felt very pale
when a pleasant, gentlemanly voice at the
window inquired, Have the honor Of ad-
dressing Senior Edgaro Woodr
That is my name, sir"
''Ah, Don Edgaro, am so sorry TO have TO
molest you in your journey, but won't you
do me the favor to alight for a momentf'
Now, If there was one quality on which
that gentleman prided himself more than on
another, it was the superiority Of his man.
ners. He was known as the polite American
OF Mexico, and so, when addressed simple
request in such courteous terms, he was fain
70 comply.
He therefore alighted, and tried to do so
promptly, but his motions were not 50 grace
full as usual; there seemed tremulous ex-
element, almost a stagger, in his move
ments, when he looked about him.
-Four men, armed with culasses, rifles and
revolvers, stood ready to receive him. The
upper half of each face was covered with a
save one-whose head, broader than the 9th
ers' at the temples, and ruddy face below the
mask, ending in thin, frouzly, tow colored
goatee-seemed to indicate an Englishman.
Mr.. Wood, noting him carefully, thought he
had seen him before, but failed I'm any at
tempt TO place him. H
'Senor Wood, said the spokesman, advanc-
ing, 81 am pleased to greet you, and regret
that you are not able 10 reciprocate the cor
dial sentiments | entertain for you. / must
say, Amiguillo, you wear charming hat,
and such things are so common to YOU that
am sure there will be no objection TO an ex-
change. See what poor thing | wear, and
so unsuited to my years and position in so
ciety! Ii fits well, too. And also, Senior
Wood, you are said To possess an excellent
watch: that, sir, would be an extremely con-
venient article TO have in my profession, that
may be prompt in meeting the stage, and
thus avoid tiresOme watching. | will accept
IL, with your permission"
Mr. Wood was rapidly learning TO adapt
himself To circumstances He knew he must
submit to being stripped, so, handing over the
watch with the best grace possible he said,
with a smile and "A bow, MAY present YOU
with pistol, as good as there is in the repub-
lie, except your own
"Ah, senior, now You hatter me: accept il
in your name, Amiguillo. And also. senior
admire your coat: let us exchange. Your
trousers, too, will iii me nicely. and your
boots, even if IA little large, will be better
than these. Have the goodness 10 he seated
On my old coat, and we will assist You in re-
moving them, we are experienced Wallets
To have observed the face of Mr. Edgar
Wood now, you would have thought he was
engaged in "a frolic. He used to say, in tell
ing this story, that he felt all through the
performance as If he were being joked by a
friend
And now,' continued the ladron eve
Will trouble you, Senior Wood, TO pass out
your valise, if you will be so obligingn
Mr.. Wood hesitated for the first time, and
looked around, but there was no mercy: the
mu2sles Of three pieces looked into his ewes.
while he replied, VERY well, gentleman, if
you insist He handed out the heavy va
lise, which was taken aside by the Mexicans.
while the English looking thief kept guard at
the stage door. When the precious cargo
was removed TO a short distance from its
owner, the sentinel muttered to him in
English, IF you give me 700, unseen, from
your belt, you can have the rest: otherwise,
I'll fix every dollar you've got"
Mr.. Wood felt sure he had somewhere seen
he face, of which the mouth and chin were |
exposed, but If he suspected the truth, he |
kept it TO himself, and quietly handed over |
the money 10 the man.
In few minutes the nearly empty valise |
was returned, and the party babe the tray
sler adieu, and wished him a safe Journey. |
In his disagrceable fix he could only ride till |
be met the return stage and 20 with il to the |
,apital, under the shelter of "a shawl lent him |
BY sympathetic lady among the passen-
gers, with whom, at noon, he entered the
Iatio, from which he had 50 sxultingly sal
led in the early morning. The idle popu-
ace, as usual, rushed in with the stage, and
the discontinue Of the American,
" he darted across the pavement to tho
nearest entrance of the hotel and made his
way 70 his room
When Mr.. Wood emerged therefrom, he
made his way to the English bank, TO deposit
he papers saved in his belt, and there en-
the second surprise Of the day.
he teller who received and credited him
With the amount was the counterpart OF the